The Green Lake community is saddened by the recent passing of longtime resident Gord Labinsky.
His daughter, Sandy Labinsky, noted Gord was well-known along the South Green Lake community.
“[He] made many contributions to our community through his past service on the South Green Lake Volunteer Fire Department and the Green Lake Area Ratepayers Association, as well as spearheading the construction of the cattle exclusion fence in 2005, and continued to maintain the fence until last year.”
His daughter noted Gordon was a lifelong lover of nature and wildness, and his letter-writing campaigns secured the protection of pristine areas around the lake from any future logging and development.
“His lifelong love affair with Green Lake began in the early 1960s when he was visiting his in-laws’ cabin in the 500 block, and then when he secured his own lease in the 1200 block in 1967 during the expansion of available lots.
“He was an encyclopedia of knowledge in a vast array of topics and would love to share his stories.”
Sandy said Gord kept meticulous records for decades, including lake water level measurements and rainfall.
I first met Gord after he cut up a tree that had fallen across our driveway, so our young family could get into our cabin easily. He came up the driveway after we had unloaded our groceries and children and I was bucking up the trees. He gently scolded me for tossing my blocks of wood on the wildflowers. Then he gave me a quick lesson on what were weeds and what were wildflowers and I tried to be more careful from then on.
We chatted briefly when walking by each other on the road and I really enjoyed his stories.
Gord’s daughter said her dad’s connection to the magic of Green Lake was always strong.
“[Gordon] could frequently be found paddling the lake in his canoe and kayak, and biking and walking on the back trails. His garden was always a source of enjoyment and pride.”
Sandy said Gord always instilled a love of nature in his four daughters, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren, all of whom feel the same connection to this magical place.
“He left on his terms, passing at home in front of his favourite view of the lake while surrounded by all of his daughters and holding the hand of his sweetheart and wife of 65 years, Verna Labinsky.”
Community Fundraiser
The 70 Mile Community Club will be raising money for the Community Hall upgrades with a meat draw at Eddie’s Bar and Grill on July 8, starting at 1 p.m. and going until 4 p.m.
Campfire ban rescinded
Effective at noon Pacific Daylight Time on June 16, the Category 1 campfire prohibition was rescinded throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre and the Tsilhqot’in (Xeni Gwet’in) Declared Title Area.
Area residents are urged to be extremely careful if they are lighting a campfire by following campfire precautions. Please do not feed a wildfire.
A campfire is defined as an open fire that burns piled material no larger than 0.5 metres (19.6 inches) high and 0.5 metres wide.
The following precautions must be in place when lighting or making use of a campfire:
There is ready access to a shovel or at least eight litres of water during the entire time the campfire is lit;
There is a fuel break around the campfire, free of any debris or combustible materials; and
The fire is fully extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the campfire for any length of time.
Wildfire assessment factors
Multiple factors are taken into consideration when assessing wildfire hazards and deciding whether to implement or rescind Category 1 campfires, including current and forecasted weather conditions and fire behaviour; the availability of firefighting resources; and the Buildup Index (BUI).
Current prohibitions
Category 2, and Category 3 open fires, as well as the following activities, remain prohibited: fireworks; sky lanterns; burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description; binary exploding targets; tiki and similar kinds of torches; chimeras; and air curtain burners.
Category 2 fires have been prohibited throughout the entirety of the Cariboo Fire Centre since May 11, 2023.
Category 3 fires have been prohibited throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre since May 4, and prohibited on the Tsilhqot’in (Xeni Gwet’in) Declared Title Area since May 8.
Wildfire information
Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from naturally caused fires. Always practice safe, responsible open fire use.
Anyone found in contravention of an open-burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150 and may be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000. If convicted in court, they may be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to a year in jail.
If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
Report incidences
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800- 663-5555 or toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
Follow wildfires
People can follow the latest wildfire news:
On the free BC Wildfire Service public mobile app, available for Apple (iOS) and Android devices;
On X at http://x.com/BCGovFireInfo; and
On Facebook at http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo;
This information was provided by the BC Wildfire Service Fire Information Officer.
newsroom@100milefreepress.net
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